Hoboken mayor calls sex acts at bar an 'affront to human decency'

Posted September 14, 2018 at 9:20 AM

A Hoboken police officer stands outside the HUB Hoboken, a popular Hudson Place bar that was charged with multiple counts by the city's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. (Corey McDonald | The Jersey Journal)

HOBOKEN -- Mayor Ravi Bhalla called the sex acts caught on video at The Hub Hoboken Saturday an "affront to human decency" and a "horrific objectification of women" and will push for the revocation of the bar's liquor license.

In a stern warning to other Hoboken bar owners, Bhalla in a statement said that his administration will not tolerate the alleged behavior and that he will use his powers "to make sure it never happens in our city again."

"This is not what Hoboken is about, it is not what the people of Hoboken deserve, and I simply will not allow it to happen again under my watch," he said.

Meanwhile, under an agreement with the city's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, the Hub will remain closed until the outcome of the ABC hearing, which is being moved to Oct. 25, City Hall announced last night. The hearing was originally scheduled for Thursday.

Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante announced Wednesday a criminal investigation into the incident from over the weekend where a partially naked woman had lewd sexual acts performed on her in front of a large crowd as champagne was poured on her.

Graphic video of the incident has been widely circulated on social media.The bar that night was hosting a promotion party called "Supreme Saturdays at HUB."

In a statement, Ferrante said that according to the preliminary investigation, the promoter that night is known as #theslutwhisperer, who has millions of viewers on social media.

The ABC board slapped the bar's liquor license holder, Teak On The Hudson LLC, with 15 offenses Wednesday, including multiple counts of allowing assault and lewd activity within the establishment.

"I saw videos of activity that I never could imagine would occur anywhere, especially in a business open to the public," Ferrante said in a statement yesterday.

"To state that this conduct will not be tolerated... is a major understatement. Any other bar owner that thinks they can allow or promote this type of activity in the city of Hoboken will face charges which could lead to a revocation of their license and severe penalties."

The bar on its Instagram page apologized "for the deplorable and unfortunate incident that took place" Saturday.

"The actions of the individuals are by no means behavior we allow, permit or promote. ... We are taking all necessary measures to prevent anything of this nature from occurring again," the statement read.

The department, meanwhile, is continuing its criminal investigation into the matter, with assistance from the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit.

Anyone with information, videos or pictures regarding this incident is asked to contact the department's investigations bureau at 201-420-5101 and cruze@hobokenpd.org. All information will be kept confidential.